Author: Haley Kim

1. Before opening the iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position.
2. Carefully insert a small flathead screwdriver in the seam between the metal casing and white plastic top. Use the screwdriver to pry up the white plastic top bezel(A).
3. Lift the top bezel(A) off of the iPod.
4. Carefully insert a small flathead screwdriver in the seam between the metal casing and white plastic top. Use the screwdriver to pry up the white plastic bottom bezel(B).
5. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry out the metal retaining bracket(C) beneath the bottom bezel. Free the bracket by first pushing in the metal arms on the corners and then lifting the bracket.
6. Lift the metal retaining bracket(C) out of the iPod.
7. Use a tweezer to disconnect the orange click wheel ribbon from the logic board(J).
8. Remove the two tiny screws securing the headphone jack to the casing(I).
9. Carefully slide the iPod out of its casing by pushing on the logic board near the bottom edge of the click wheel(H).
10. After pushing the logic board(J) out, grasp the logic board on either side of the display, and continue to slide the iPod out of its casing(D).
11. Lift the battery off of the logic board and lay it to the side of the iPod.
12. Disconnect the battery(E) from the logic board. Make sure to pull only on the connector and not on the battery wires.
13. Use a tweezer to carefully pry up the headphone jack board from the logic board. Be careful to pry up near the connector to prevent unnecessary strain on the board.
14. Lift the headphone jack(I) board off of the logic board.
15. Use a tweezer to flip up the black plastic tab holding the orange display ribbon in place. The black tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.
16. Note the location of the four white plastic tabs securing the display(F) to the logic board. These tabs must be released before the display can be removed.
17. Use a tweezer to free the four white plastic tabs indicated.
18. Turn the iPod over and lift the display(F) up and slide it out of its connector.
19. Use a tweezer to disconnect the orange hard drive ribbon from the logic board.
20. Lift the hard drive(G) out of the iPod.
21. Peel back the black tape securing the two blue bumpers to the hard drive near the orange ribbon cable.
22. Slide the two blue bumpers off the corners of the hard drive.
23. Disconnect the orange hard drive ribbon cable(G) from the hard drive. Make sure to apply even pressure while pulling to prevent any bend pins.

Design elements that was interested:

A) Logic Board: There were many elements in the process of disassembling this vintage iPod, but I found this logic board very interesting. I think the most important role of this iPod is the logic board, not the exterior case. This is because all the elements that help the iPod operate from the inside out are connected to the logic board, and the logic board itself is equipped with important elements that are unknown.

B) Hard Drive Cable: It was very interesting that the hard drive cable was covered in blue bumpers everywhere and wrapped in black tape. It also makes me think about how important element this is to be careful not to trip pins while disconnecting cables from the drive.